A teaser...wait till you see a window like this at night!
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
It's Chrismastime!
It's official. As of 9:00pm tonight, the huge spruce in Rockefeller Center Plaza is lit! This is my first holiday season in New York but I can already tell you--I love Christmas in New York! When I go out in the evenings to walk around midtown to look at all the Christmas decorations and lights and people everywhere, I can't help but get all consumed with Christmas spirit. I find myself looking around at the bright surroundings and smiling. Nighttime is the best time in New York.
The neat Christmas light displays in store windows are awe-inspiring. Reindeer frolic, Rudolph's nose glows, snowmen smile back at you...it's just astounding. I've never felt more "Christmas-y" in my life. Sidewalk trees are all lit up with strings of white lights. And the annual tree-lighting at the Plaza tonight officially kicked off Christmas 2004.
If you've never been to New York during the holidays, put it on your life to-do list. It is an amazing sight to behold. If you have young children, bring them here in December. They'll never forget it as long as they live. Everyone should partake of New York Christmas festivities at least once in their lives.
I will be sure to carry my camera with me as much as I can so I can share this wonderful feeling with you all!
Happy Holidays!
The neat Christmas light displays in store windows are awe-inspiring. Reindeer frolic, Rudolph's nose glows, snowmen smile back at you...it's just astounding. I've never felt more "Christmas-y" in my life. Sidewalk trees are all lit up with strings of white lights. And the annual tree-lighting at the Plaza tonight officially kicked off Christmas 2004.
If you've never been to New York during the holidays, put it on your life to-do list. It is an amazing sight to behold. If you have young children, bring them here in December. They'll never forget it as long as they live. Everyone should partake of New York Christmas festivities at least once in their lives.
I will be sure to carry my camera with me as much as I can so I can share this wonderful feeling with you all!
Happy Holidays!
Sunday, November 28, 2004
The Old Bait & Switch
Beware apartment searchers in New York City! There are more crooked brokers out there than honest ones. Especially, be wary of anyone advertising on Craigslist.com. Don't get me wrong, I worship that site--it's how I sold my car. Craigslist rocks, and I recommend it to everyone I can. But the vultures who advertise on Craigslist will print anything to lure you to an apartment viewing.
For example, I searched on Craigslist for a midtown apartment in the "apts by owner" section. I did this to avoid dealing with a broker and fee. So here's what I came up with: "$2495 / 1br - Very Very Large 1Br(936sqft)/Doorman pre-war bldg." Sounds good, eh? I wanted to know more!
So I clicked the email link to request more info. My first tip-off that this was a scam was the email address: aptz2003@[deleted].com. Hmmm....what owner would have an email address like that? So I asked in my email, "Are you the owner?" The reply email gave me no phone number, just a first name of a guy saying he is a "private" broker for the owner.
So, tip #1 so far is: Don't expect the "apts by owner" section of Craigslist to feature apartments by owner. Tip #2 is: if the reply address has the word "apartment" or "rent" or any related term, this is a broker, not an owner.
The apartment sounded good, so I emailed Mr. First Name Only back and asked to see it. After all, it's five blocks from home. I gave him my home number. When we finally talked on the phone and were setting up an appointment, he told me "Oh, that apartment is actually $2695." (Did you hear my heart sink?) He went on to say there are three units available in that building, and the two $2495 apartments are much smaller than this tremendous "936sf" apartment.
I met Mr. Private Broker at the apartment Friday evening and mentioned the false advertising of the price. Good-looking and seemingly professional broker guy told me that "Oh, my secretary made a mistake...blah, blah, blah." Anyway, I still wanted to see the apartment. He said one of them was gone, but the BIG one (936sf) was still available. So I looked at both the remaining apartments. The second one was very nicely renovated but too small. The big one was very, very nice and spacious, but had no terrace (for Martin). And yet I liked the location and interior, and it was CLEAN and in my price range. I asked the broker how long it had been listed. He replied, "A day or two," and told me I'm the first person to see it. So I went back the next day to see it in the daylight.
As we waited for the elevator, another "broker" got off the elevator with two guys that he was going to show the same apartment to. My broker handed the keys to this other guy. I asked who the hell that was, and my broker told me, "Oh, he works for me." Hmmmm....an independent private broker with his own secretary and broker staff?
I was suspicisous, but screw it--I liked the big apartment and was afraid of passing it up and letting those other apartment hunters rent it out from under me. I was in a dilemma though because I hadn't even worked with the broker assigned to me yet, so I didn't have too much to compare this too. Plus I didn't want to pay $2695 for something advertised for $2495. As we left I told him I'd probably offer the owners a lower price, at which point he told me that if I got a lower price, I'd have to pay the one-month broker fee. Why was I not surprised? What a scam. The broker fee had been added to the rent on this "no-fee" apartment.
That's when I knew that I could have had this apartment for $2500 a month if I'd been able to go straight to the owner in stead of this broker person. Pissed me off. I'm not paying a &^%# fee to rent an overpriced, undersized Manhattan apartment.
So I thought about it. By this time, I still hadn't heard back from the broker that Microsoft assigned me, and I was in a dilemma about this apartment--because I'd allowed myself to become attached to it. Finally, my assigned broker called me back that afternoon and I told her about it. She was able to look it up in her special listing database (like the MLS for home purchases). She confirmed the price was set at $2695--over three weeks ago--not one or two days ago like the broker said. Thank God she called and had info about this apartment. Mr. Private Broker had lied to me twice. If that's the case, what else might he be lying about? That's when I decided I'd have to pass. If the listing has been on the market over a month, what's wrong with it?
Here are some other tricks that I've seen used on Craigslist (and other broker Web sites listing Manhattan rentals):
1. If the ad advertises x number months' free rent and the price is not a rounded number (like $2500, 2450, 3075, etc.), then chances are the advertised price is not the actual rent price. Rather, it's the "net effective" or average rent after you figure in the three free months. This is how brokers make a $3300 a month apartment look like a $3000/month apartment in their ads. I've seen this done in dozens of ads. It's a lie.
2. If the ad has photos, don't assume that they are photos of the actual apartment being advertised. I've been scammed this way once already (see earlier post). The broker will get you on site and then pretend they had no idea it was the wrong apartment or the wrong photos, blah, blah, blah.
3. If the square footage happens to be included in the ad, assume it is wrong. Brokers will do all kinds of tricks to make the apartment look bigger--including using fish-eye or panoramic lenses for the photos, and--even worse--touching up the photos electronically. Squishing the photo horizontally make the rooms look a lot bigger than they are. They'll include things in the square footage like terraces or balconies and other unheated square footage. And, assume they ALWAYS round up. 613 sf is "about 700 sf."
All in all, if you think renting an apartment in NY is easy, think again. And don't trust anyone. No one--especially brokers--whether they are affiliated with a rental company or not. Find out up front if there is a fee involved (whether the owner is paying the broker, or you're expected to pay the broker--either way, it comes out of your pocket in the end). Remember, even on ads that say "by owner" or "no fee," there may be a fee.
And if you use Craigslist, I encourage you to flag any suspicious or false advertisements. If an ad is flagged enough times by different people, Craig will remove it. But not until after you've been duped.
For example, I searched on Craigslist for a midtown apartment in the "apts by owner" section. I did this to avoid dealing with a broker and fee. So here's what I came up with: "$2495 / 1br - Very Very Large 1Br(936sqft)/Doorman pre-war bldg." Sounds good, eh? I wanted to know more!
So I clicked the email link to request more info. My first tip-off that this was a scam was the email address: aptz2003@[deleted].com. Hmmm....what owner would have an email address like that? So I asked in my email, "Are you the owner?" The reply email gave me no phone number, just a first name of a guy saying he is a "private" broker for the owner.
So, tip #1 so far is: Don't expect the "apts by owner" section of Craigslist to feature apartments by owner. Tip #2 is: if the reply address has the word "apartment" or "rent" or any related term, this is a broker, not an owner.
The apartment sounded good, so I emailed Mr. First Name Only back and asked to see it. After all, it's five blocks from home. I gave him my home number. When we finally talked on the phone and were setting up an appointment, he told me "Oh, that apartment is actually $2695." (Did you hear my heart sink?) He went on to say there are three units available in that building, and the two $2495 apartments are much smaller than this tremendous "936sf" apartment.
I met Mr. Private Broker at the apartment Friday evening and mentioned the false advertising of the price. Good-looking and seemingly professional broker guy told me that "Oh, my secretary made a mistake...blah, blah, blah." Anyway, I still wanted to see the apartment. He said one of them was gone, but the BIG one (936sf) was still available. So I looked at both the remaining apartments. The second one was very nicely renovated but too small. The big one was very, very nice and spacious, but had no terrace (for Martin). And yet I liked the location and interior, and it was CLEAN and in my price range. I asked the broker how long it had been listed. He replied, "A day or two," and told me I'm the first person to see it. So I went back the next day to see it in the daylight.
As we waited for the elevator, another "broker" got off the elevator with two guys that he was going to show the same apartment to. My broker handed the keys to this other guy. I asked who the hell that was, and my broker told me, "Oh, he works for me." Hmmmm....an independent private broker with his own secretary and broker staff?
I was suspicisous, but screw it--I liked the big apartment and was afraid of passing it up and letting those other apartment hunters rent it out from under me. I was in a dilemma though because I hadn't even worked with the broker assigned to me yet, so I didn't have too much to compare this too. Plus I didn't want to pay $2695 for something advertised for $2495. As we left I told him I'd probably offer the owners a lower price, at which point he told me that if I got a lower price, I'd have to pay the one-month broker fee. Why was I not surprised? What a scam. The broker fee had been added to the rent on this "no-fee" apartment.
That's when I knew that I could have had this apartment for $2500 a month if I'd been able to go straight to the owner in stead of this broker person. Pissed me off. I'm not paying a &^%# fee to rent an overpriced, undersized Manhattan apartment.
So I thought about it. By this time, I still hadn't heard back from the broker that Microsoft assigned me, and I was in a dilemma about this apartment--because I'd allowed myself to become attached to it. Finally, my assigned broker called me back that afternoon and I told her about it. She was able to look it up in her special listing database (like the MLS for home purchases). She confirmed the price was set at $2695--over three weeks ago--not one or two days ago like the broker said. Thank God she called and had info about this apartment. Mr. Private Broker had lied to me twice. If that's the case, what else might he be lying about? That's when I decided I'd have to pass. If the listing has been on the market over a month, what's wrong with it?
Here are some other tricks that I've seen used on Craigslist (and other broker Web sites listing Manhattan rentals):
1. If the ad advertises x number months' free rent and the price is not a rounded number (like $2500, 2450, 3075, etc.), then chances are the advertised price is not the actual rent price. Rather, it's the "net effective" or average rent after you figure in the three free months. This is how brokers make a $3300 a month apartment look like a $3000/month apartment in their ads. I've seen this done in dozens of ads. It's a lie.
2. If the ad has photos, don't assume that they are photos of the actual apartment being advertised. I've been scammed this way once already (see earlier post). The broker will get you on site and then pretend they had no idea it was the wrong apartment or the wrong photos, blah, blah, blah.
3. If the square footage happens to be included in the ad, assume it is wrong. Brokers will do all kinds of tricks to make the apartment look bigger--including using fish-eye or panoramic lenses for the photos, and--even worse--touching up the photos electronically. Squishing the photo horizontally make the rooms look a lot bigger than they are. They'll include things in the square footage like terraces or balconies and other unheated square footage. And, assume they ALWAYS round up. 613 sf is "about 700 sf."
All in all, if you think renting an apartment in NY is easy, think again. And don't trust anyone. No one--especially brokers--whether they are affiliated with a rental company or not. Find out up front if there is a fee involved (whether the owner is paying the broker, or you're expected to pay the broker--either way, it comes out of your pocket in the end). Remember, even on ads that say "by owner" or "no fee," there may be a fee.
And if you use Craigslist, I encourage you to flag any suspicious or false advertisements. If an ad is flagged enough times by different people, Craig will remove it. But not until after you've been duped.
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Thanksgiving for Singles
I went shopping at Whole Foods for Thanksgiving food today. Actually, that wasn't my intention, but since everyone else was buying turkey and cranberries, I thought I should at least _try_ to partake of the traditional Thanksgiving meal tomorrow. So I bought some deli-prepared food consisting of: 1/2 pound of yams ($3.53), 3 slices of turkey ($6.26), one serving of stuffing ($4.64), a bag of frozen peas ($1.39), creamed spinach ($2.40), and a cannoli ($1.99). I have never had a cannoli before. Maybe I'll skip the turkey and go straight to dessert!
Gee, and I was trying to SAVE money by eating in tomorrow. It's over $20 a plate at my house, and no free refills. In fact, no refills to speak of.
Obviously, I'm still in shock from the grocery prices. There was this pint-sized plastic container of beautiful diced fruit that looked yummy, so I started to put it in my basket...till I noticed the $8.45 price tag. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? For 1/10th of a kiwi, 1/100th of a cantaloupe, 1/100th of a pineapple, and a dozen grapes. Yikes!! That's about a thousand dollars a pound! I put it back.
The apartment hunt continues in vain. Microsoft finally assigned me an "agent." It was a mistake for me to request a "younger female" (who could empathize with a woman's need for a closet just for shoes). Well, I spoke to her on the phone, and she sounds all of 22 and talks like the flighty chick in "American Pie." (Don't ask me which flighty chick, I don't remember.) Sigh.
Ok, so besides your first-born, here are the requirements just to apply for a lease here in NY:
"Letter from employer stating position, salary and length of employment and any information regarding bonus, guaranteed or otherwise.
- Last two (2) pay stubs.
- Last two (2) years tax returns.
- Last two months bank statements.
- Name, addresses, and phone numbers of previous landlords.
- Two personal reference letters.
- Two business reference letters.
- Verification of other assets such as real estate, securities, etc.
- Photo identification.
- DNA sample. [Ok, so I made that one up, but I'll bet you a nickel that becomes a requirement in the next 100 years.]
If you have yet to open a New York City bank account or do not have a social security number, let your agent know in advance of your arrival. In cases where you are applying for an apartment in a condo or co-op, be prepared to present a complete description of your assets and liabilities. Once you find a home that suits you, an application must be filled out, documentation submitted, and application fees paid. If there is any negotiation of terms, your Relocation agent will oversee this process."
Oy. And this agent person gets paid thousands of dollars to stand by and watch me fill out all this paperwork while I find the apartment of my dreams on the Internet. (Hint: it doesn't exist. The ads on the Internet are very deceiving. Like the place I looked at last night that was supposed to be a corner unit on the 41st floor with a view of Central Park for $2,900. It was a side unit on the 43rd floor with no view for $3,050. And they say pictures don't lie.... Ha!)
So today I went through badge-processing for my job at the brokerage firm. This consisted of traipsing all over midtown in the pouring rain, having my picture snapped in each building I had to enter (after getting by three security checks), getting finger-printed, background-checked, and drug-tested. They actually wanted me to list all the vitamins and herbs and medications I've taken in the last month. I asked if I could have an extra sheet of paper.
One thing's for sure: NY is probably one of the safest places to live these days. Still on orange alert, since 9/11.
The moral of this blog is, if you ever move to NY, be prepared to deal with a lot of red tape and frequently get on the subway going in the wrong direction. And have LOTS of money! ("The Apprentice" is becoming a more and more viable option as a means to make rent.)
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Gee, and I was trying to SAVE money by eating in tomorrow. It's over $20 a plate at my house, and no free refills. In fact, no refills to speak of.
Obviously, I'm still in shock from the grocery prices. There was this pint-sized plastic container of beautiful diced fruit that looked yummy, so I started to put it in my basket...till I noticed the $8.45 price tag. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? For 1/10th of a kiwi, 1/100th of a cantaloupe, 1/100th of a pineapple, and a dozen grapes. Yikes!! That's about a thousand dollars a pound! I put it back.
The apartment hunt continues in vain. Microsoft finally assigned me an "agent." It was a mistake for me to request a "younger female" (who could empathize with a woman's need for a closet just for shoes). Well, I spoke to her on the phone, and she sounds all of 22 and talks like the flighty chick in "American Pie." (Don't ask me which flighty chick, I don't remember.) Sigh.
Ok, so besides your first-born, here are the requirements just to apply for a lease here in NY:
"Letter from employer stating position, salary and length of employment and any information regarding bonus, guaranteed or otherwise.
- Last two (2) pay stubs.
- Last two (2) years tax returns.
- Last two months bank statements.
- Name, addresses, and phone numbers of previous landlords.
- Two personal reference letters.
- Two business reference letters.
- Verification of other assets such as real estate, securities, etc.
- Photo identification.
- DNA sample. [Ok, so I made that one up, but I'll bet you a nickel that becomes a requirement in the next 100 years.]
If you have yet to open a New York City bank account or do not have a social security number, let your agent know in advance of your arrival. In cases where you are applying for an apartment in a condo or co-op, be prepared to present a complete description of your assets and liabilities. Once you find a home that suits you, an application must be filled out, documentation submitted, and application fees paid. If there is any negotiation of terms, your Relocation agent will oversee this process."
Oy. And this agent person gets paid thousands of dollars to stand by and watch me fill out all this paperwork while I find the apartment of my dreams on the Internet. (Hint: it doesn't exist. The ads on the Internet are very deceiving. Like the place I looked at last night that was supposed to be a corner unit on the 41st floor with a view of Central Park for $2,900. It was a side unit on the 43rd floor with no view for $3,050. And they say pictures don't lie.... Ha!)
So today I went through badge-processing for my job at the brokerage firm. This consisted of traipsing all over midtown in the pouring rain, having my picture snapped in each building I had to enter (after getting by three security checks), getting finger-printed, background-checked, and drug-tested. They actually wanted me to list all the vitamins and herbs and medications I've taken in the last month. I asked if I could have an extra sheet of paper.
One thing's for sure: NY is probably one of the safest places to live these days. Still on orange alert, since 9/11.
The moral of this blog is, if you ever move to NY, be prepared to deal with a lot of red tape and frequently get on the subway going in the wrong direction. And have LOTS of money! ("The Apprentice" is becoming a more and more viable option as a means to make rent.)
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Rats!
That settles it. I am NOT buying a home in NY. Not only do you get crap for $400,000, but the selling closing costs would end up eating up every penny of appreciation you earn owning a home here. You got your attorney cost (~$2,000), your NYC RPT tax (1% of sales price), your NYS transfer tax ($4 per every $1,000), your $75 UCC-3 filing fee (what the heck?), your $750 managing agent fee (because 3% of the sales price just isn't enough), your $500-750 move-out deposit, and your broker commission (6%). And that's for a condo. If you buy a co-op instead, you can add to those collosal closing costs: stock transfer stamps (a nickel a share), lost stock and lease fees, and a flip tax where applicable (I've seen those up to 1.5% for the buyer). Gawd.
So I looked at some rentals today too. I think I spent the majority of my time navigating the subway system. First I took the E over to Lexington Ave (east side) and walked several blocks--(started out in the wrong direction, as usual--Man, I need to get a compass!)--to this neat brownstone on 58th. The apartment consisted of the bottom floor plus the basement. I admit I liked the place, but the bedroom was underground, which made dark, and rather warm. Biggest closet I've seen in Manhattan though! I think I'd be claustrophobic in there. Martin the cat would love the carpeted spiral staircase. But it was several blocks to the subway, (which was conveniently across the street from Bloomingdales). I'll keep looking. At least now I know what $2395/mo. gets you in midtown.
The next was another floor-thru way up on the Upper West Side. (See earlier blog entry for NY real estate jargon translation.) I took the 6 train to the E train (an unusually long wait) to the D train. Whoops--but the D train is an express. I needed to get off at 103rd Ave, but I sat there helplessly, watching 103rd, then 110th and 116th go by.... I got out at 125th and was in Harlem.
I swapped tracks and waited for the A, B, or C train that could take me back to 103rd. That's where I saw it: my first NY rat. Down on the tracks was a big charcoal-gray and brown rat running across the tracks. He headed over to a hole in the far wall, not much bigger around than a 50-cent piece, and as soon as he got there, his little girlfriend rat poked her head out of the hole. They sat there chattering to each other like that for a while (her in, him out). I saw the train coming and expected the rat below to take off when he heard it, but I guess the rats don't fear the trains. He stayed there up till the last possible second when he ducked his head. I would say he made it.
This apartment was nice but small. It was in the middle of renovation, and the brownstone owner herself showed it to me. Very nicely done, complete with bay window, stackable W/D, jetted tub, and pedestal sink. But the neighborhood was a bit spotty (very diverse), and the apartment about 100 sf too small for me and Martin. No place for my "home office." The owner claimed it was "about 900 sf" but she must have been including the ceiling space in that because I'm pretty sure it wasn't much bigger than 700 or 750!
Walked several blocks from 105th to 96th and got on my first NY bus! (Almost got on the wrong bus.) I took the cross-town bus straight through Central Park over to the east side and got off at Second Ave. Wow--figuring out the bus was something I thought I'd do later (the subway system has eaten up enough of my brain power already). But I took the plunge. Fear no public transit, I always say.
I walked several blocks to this 8th floor apartment that ended up looking NOTHING like the obviously re-touched photos in the Web ad for this place. I could tell it was a smoker's home. It stunk. The master closet was less than 3' wide. The view of ugly rooftops was nothing like the gorgeous skyrise view in the photos, which were taken at floor level, not eye level. Man, that's the second time the agent used Photo Shop to lure me in. I got out of there pretty quickly to head to Brooklyn Heights.
I thought it would be fairly straightforward getting to Brooklyn from there. Ha!It took me about 45 minutes! I walked several blocks to the 6 train, which was packed but very clean inside (obviously a brand new train). But this was a local train, so it stopped every five streets. I kept looking at my watch because it was after 2pm, and the next open house was shutting down at 3pm. Boy was I surprised to learn that the 6 train comes to an end downtown, at Chambers St, where everybody must exit the train. I studied my subway map and decided I needed to find a new way to get to the 2/3 train to Brooklyn.
Come to find out later, I could've walked 20 feet, jumped on the 4, gone one stop to Fulton, gotten off there, and transferred to the 2/3. But instead I went all over the universe trying to find the J to transfer to, to get to the 2/3. Navigating the underground subway station maze is key in getting the subway thing right. I failed miserably at this stop. I found myself running right back to the platform where I'd originally got off the 6. I couldn't help but laugh at myself. DUH! One stop to Fulton, and I was on the 2/3, finally. By this time it was 2:40pm, and I was running out of time.
I got off at Clark St. (first Brooklyn stop), in Brooklyn Heights, and walked through the foulest-smelling subway station I'd been inside yet. (Not that there are degrees of foulness in NY--it's all pretty much the same filth everywhere (except the Upper West Side, of course). I have to tell you, while I was traversing all these subway stairs and platforms and hallways, I couldn't stop wondering what germs are breeding on my shoe soles at this point.)
Once again, I didn't know which way to turn on the street when I got above ground, so I asked a guy if he knew whether right or left would take me north on Henry. He didn't know either. I knew I had 12 minutes to get to this open house before the broker split. As always, I started out going the wrong way. He turned left; I turned right. But then he said, "Oh hey, there's the Brooklyn Bridge," and he pointed. I said, "Thanks, that helps!" and I turned around and started running down Henry. I crossed Pineapple St., then Orange St., then some other fruit, and I'd made it to my destination: Cranberry St.
I passed a couple on the sidewalk pointing to their nice red car from across the street, wondering which direction the hit-and-run driver must've come from when he mashed their front quarter panel. Poor people.
This apartment for sale was a $425,000 floor-thru at the top of a brownstone. Gawd, after all that running I had to climb two flights of skinny old wooden stairs (built in 1830, no doubt) to get up there. I envisioned tipping the movers half my savings to get my stuff in if I bought the place.
So I made it in time. This studio apartment was just a tad over 600 sf, based on my calculations using the floorplan on the Web. I asked the agent the square footage, and she said "About 700." Note to self: Not only are pictures re-touched, but agents always round up the square footage to the next hundred or two. Unfortunately, the place looked much better in the photos and was TOO SMALL for Martin and me, so I happily headed back to the smelly subway station to go home. The trip was a breeze. Once you get on the 2/3, you're set, and getting to Midtown is easy. I did my usual transfer to the 1/9 at Times Square (42nd St.) and traveled one more stop to get home.
I picked up my first Sunday NY Times (it's so heavy) at a newsstand on Broadway, grabbed a big latte at Starbucks, and was happy to get home to Martin for some Sunday night relaxation (and Desperate Housewives later!!!!).
My feet are tired; my stomach is growling. Hmmm....I suppose I'll have the usual for dinner: leftover pizza.
So now you know how fun it is getting around NY. It's really not that bad unless you have to transfer at a large subway station that spans several underground blocks and is home to six or more trains. You'd be amazed at how much ground you travel going from one subway to another here.
Still loving NY!
So I looked at some rentals today too. I think I spent the majority of my time navigating the subway system. First I took the E over to Lexington Ave (east side) and walked several blocks--(started out in the wrong direction, as usual--Man, I need to get a compass!)--to this neat brownstone on 58th. The apartment consisted of the bottom floor plus the basement. I admit I liked the place, but the bedroom was underground, which made dark, and rather warm. Biggest closet I've seen in Manhattan though! I think I'd be claustrophobic in there. Martin the cat would love the carpeted spiral staircase. But it was several blocks to the subway, (which was conveniently across the street from Bloomingdales). I'll keep looking. At least now I know what $2395/mo. gets you in midtown.
The next was another floor-thru way up on the Upper West Side. (See earlier blog entry for NY real estate jargon translation.) I took the 6 train to the E train (an unusually long wait) to the D train. Whoops--but the D train is an express. I needed to get off at 103rd Ave, but I sat there helplessly, watching 103rd, then 110th and 116th go by.... I got out at 125th and was in Harlem.
I swapped tracks and waited for the A, B, or C train that could take me back to 103rd. That's where I saw it: my first NY rat. Down on the tracks was a big charcoal-gray and brown rat running across the tracks. He headed over to a hole in the far wall, not much bigger around than a 50-cent piece, and as soon as he got there, his little girlfriend rat poked her head out of the hole. They sat there chattering to each other like that for a while (her in, him out). I saw the train coming and expected the rat below to take off when he heard it, but I guess the rats don't fear the trains. He stayed there up till the last possible second when he ducked his head. I would say he made it.
This apartment was nice but small. It was in the middle of renovation, and the brownstone owner herself showed it to me. Very nicely done, complete with bay window, stackable W/D, jetted tub, and pedestal sink. But the neighborhood was a bit spotty (very diverse), and the apartment about 100 sf too small for me and Martin. No place for my "home office." The owner claimed it was "about 900 sf" but she must have been including the ceiling space in that because I'm pretty sure it wasn't much bigger than 700 or 750!
Walked several blocks from 105th to 96th and got on my first NY bus! (Almost got on the wrong bus.) I took the cross-town bus straight through Central Park over to the east side and got off at Second Ave. Wow--figuring out the bus was something I thought I'd do later (the subway system has eaten up enough of my brain power already). But I took the plunge. Fear no public transit, I always say.
I walked several blocks to this 8th floor apartment that ended up looking NOTHING like the obviously re-touched photos in the Web ad for this place. I could tell it was a smoker's home. It stunk. The master closet was less than 3' wide. The view of ugly rooftops was nothing like the gorgeous skyrise view in the photos, which were taken at floor level, not eye level. Man, that's the second time the agent used Photo Shop to lure me in. I got out of there pretty quickly to head to Brooklyn Heights.
I thought it would be fairly straightforward getting to Brooklyn from there. Ha!It took me about 45 minutes! I walked several blocks to the 6 train, which was packed but very clean inside (obviously a brand new train). But this was a local train, so it stopped every five streets. I kept looking at my watch because it was after 2pm, and the next open house was shutting down at 3pm. Boy was I surprised to learn that the 6 train comes to an end downtown, at Chambers St, where everybody must exit the train. I studied my subway map and decided I needed to find a new way to get to the 2/3 train to Brooklyn.
Come to find out later, I could've walked 20 feet, jumped on the 4, gone one stop to Fulton, gotten off there, and transferred to the 2/3. But instead I went all over the universe trying to find the J to transfer to, to get to the 2/3. Navigating the underground subway station maze is key in getting the subway thing right. I failed miserably at this stop. I found myself running right back to the platform where I'd originally got off the 6. I couldn't help but laugh at myself. DUH! One stop to Fulton, and I was on the 2/3, finally. By this time it was 2:40pm, and I was running out of time.
I got off at Clark St. (first Brooklyn stop), in Brooklyn Heights, and walked through the foulest-smelling subway station I'd been inside yet. (Not that there are degrees of foulness in NY--it's all pretty much the same filth everywhere (except the Upper West Side, of course). I have to tell you, while I was traversing all these subway stairs and platforms and hallways, I couldn't stop wondering what germs are breeding on my shoe soles at this point.)
Once again, I didn't know which way to turn on the street when I got above ground, so I asked a guy if he knew whether right or left would take me north on Henry. He didn't know either. I knew I had 12 minutes to get to this open house before the broker split. As always, I started out going the wrong way. He turned left; I turned right. But then he said, "Oh hey, there's the Brooklyn Bridge," and he pointed. I said, "Thanks, that helps!" and I turned around and started running down Henry. I crossed Pineapple St., then Orange St., then some other fruit, and I'd made it to my destination: Cranberry St.
I passed a couple on the sidewalk pointing to their nice red car from across the street, wondering which direction the hit-and-run driver must've come from when he mashed their front quarter panel. Poor people.
This apartment for sale was a $425,000 floor-thru at the top of a brownstone. Gawd, after all that running I had to climb two flights of skinny old wooden stairs (built in 1830, no doubt) to get up there. I envisioned tipping the movers half my savings to get my stuff in if I bought the place.
So I made it in time. This studio apartment was just a tad over 600 sf, based on my calculations using the floorplan on the Web. I asked the agent the square footage, and she said "About 700." Note to self: Not only are pictures re-touched, but agents always round up the square footage to the next hundred or two. Unfortunately, the place looked much better in the photos and was TOO SMALL for Martin and me, so I happily headed back to the smelly subway station to go home. The trip was a breeze. Once you get on the 2/3, you're set, and getting to Midtown is easy. I did my usual transfer to the 1/9 at Times Square (42nd St.) and traveled one more stop to get home.
I picked up my first Sunday NY Times (it's so heavy) at a newsstand on Broadway, grabbed a big latte at Starbucks, and was happy to get home to Martin for some Sunday night relaxation (and Desperate Housewives later!!!!).
My feet are tired; my stomach is growling. Hmmm....I suppose I'll have the usual for dinner: leftover pizza.
So now you know how fun it is getting around NY. It's really not that bad unless you have to transfer at a large subway station that spans several underground blocks and is home to six or more trains. You'd be amazed at how much ground you travel going from one subway to another here.
Still loving NY!
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Home to Manhattan
Today is the second rainy day I've seen in the two weeks since I got to NY. I went shopping at Macy's (big sale!) and then went to Brooklyn for the first time. I had a list of 4 homes that a realtor had sent me via email yesterday, and a couple others I found on the Web myself. Though the open houses aren't until tomorrow, I wanted to be sure I could find my way there and snoop around the Park Slope area a bit.
It's a good thing I did, otherwise I would've gotten lost in the subway system because the F train was replaced by the G train for one leg of the trip--for this weekend only. And the signs aren't that helpful. Subway maintenance, I guess. Thank god for a sweet girl I met on the train who showed me just how to get to the 7th Ave. stop I was headed for.
So this Park Slope area is supposed to be VERY NICE, according to the agent (and the girl on the train). Really wonderful. One of the best places to live in Brooklyn. The homes I was looking at ranged in price from $399,000 to $445,000--and all were "floor-thrus," meaning you buy one floor of the building, which is typically a brownstone. (What we call a townhouse in other parts of the country.) Most were pre-war walk-ups (meaning no elevator).
You know what? Looks like I'm going back to Plan A, which is to rent a place in the city. I didn't think I'd like living in Brooklyn. It had all the dinginess and filth and look and feel of a real city, but none of the excitement. Too residential. I just didn't feel right about it. I didn't like being so far removed from Manhattan. When I got off the train at 50th and Broadway after my trip to Brooklyn, I felt like I was "coming home." It felt good to be back in the city. So I'll probably skip the open houses tomorrow.
I'd just had a very pleasant conversation with a tourist from France. (See--I even enjoy the Manhattan subways more than the Brooklyn ones!) I actually spoke French to him! A whole sentence. That's another first for me--I've never spoken French to a Frenchman. Ha! And he understood me!! I asked him (en Francais) the French word for "book" because his travel companion had the same great NY Eyewitness Travel Guide that I have. How fun is THAT!?
"Susan, don't eat the ornaments off the tree...." That's Lucille Ball scolding one of her 18 kids in "Yours, Mine, and Ours," playing on TV right now. I remember loving that movie when I was a kid. BTW, why is fat kid in the movies always named Susan? :)
Worked from home Friday, thinking I could finally get caught up on email and "paperwork," but I never got the chance. My customer called me on my cell first thing, and I was off and running on that critsit case they'd opened up earlier. The case had since been downgraded, but we were still investigating. Turned out to be third-party software causing the problem. I actually helped solve the case (by noticing a "/no reset" in their Tivoli script on a patch installation that absolutely requires a reboot). There you have it--the "T" in TAM. ;-) Ha ha ha!
I love this job. It's extremely fast-paced. Busy, busy, busy. I swear, I've never gotten more email than I do on this job. It seems like I'm always frantically catching up on email (and never quite successful in whittling it down to a non-scrollable Inbox).
Not to mention, I used to learn something new every day on my old job. Now it's more like I learn 12 new things a day!! My brain is totally swelled. I'm finally learning how to use all the new "real-time collaboration"-type technology that I've adamently avoided for years--instant messaging, cellular Internet connectivity, wireless text messaging, recording pictures, videos, and voice with my phone, etc., etc. So much to learn, but I'm glad I finally took the plunge into the wireless world. My brother Dave will be proud, as will my friend Paul who leads a paperless life. :)
It's a good thing I did, otherwise I would've gotten lost in the subway system because the F train was replaced by the G train for one leg of the trip--for this weekend only. And the signs aren't that helpful. Subway maintenance, I guess. Thank god for a sweet girl I met on the train who showed me just how to get to the 7th Ave. stop I was headed for.
So this Park Slope area is supposed to be VERY NICE, according to the agent (and the girl on the train). Really wonderful. One of the best places to live in Brooklyn. The homes I was looking at ranged in price from $399,000 to $445,000--and all were "floor-thrus," meaning you buy one floor of the building, which is typically a brownstone. (What we call a townhouse in other parts of the country.) Most were pre-war walk-ups (meaning no elevator).
You know what? Looks like I'm going back to Plan A, which is to rent a place in the city. I didn't think I'd like living in Brooklyn. It had all the dinginess and filth and look and feel of a real city, but none of the excitement. Too residential. I just didn't feel right about it. I didn't like being so far removed from Manhattan. When I got off the train at 50th and Broadway after my trip to Brooklyn, I felt like I was "coming home." It felt good to be back in the city. So I'll probably skip the open houses tomorrow.
I'd just had a very pleasant conversation with a tourist from France. (See--I even enjoy the Manhattan subways more than the Brooklyn ones!) I actually spoke French to him! A whole sentence. That's another first for me--I've never spoken French to a Frenchman. Ha! And he understood me!! I asked him (en Francais) the French word for "book" because his travel companion had the same great NY Eyewitness Travel Guide that I have. How fun is THAT!?
"Susan, don't eat the ornaments off the tree...." That's Lucille Ball scolding one of her 18 kids in "Yours, Mine, and Ours," playing on TV right now. I remember loving that movie when I was a kid. BTW, why is fat kid in the movies always named Susan? :)
Worked from home Friday, thinking I could finally get caught up on email and "paperwork," but I never got the chance. My customer called me on my cell first thing, and I was off and running on that critsit case they'd opened up earlier. The case had since been downgraded, but we were still investigating. Turned out to be third-party software causing the problem. I actually helped solve the case (by noticing a "/no reset" in their Tivoli script on a patch installation that absolutely requires a reboot). There you have it--the "T" in TAM. ;-) Ha ha ha!
I love this job. It's extremely fast-paced. Busy, busy, busy. I swear, I've never gotten more email than I do on this job. It seems like I'm always frantically catching up on email (and never quite successful in whittling it down to a non-scrollable Inbox).
Not to mention, I used to learn something new every day on my old job. Now it's more like I learn 12 new things a day!! My brain is totally swelled. I'm finally learning how to use all the new "real-time collaboration"-type technology that I've adamently avoided for years--instant messaging, cellular Internet connectivity, wireless text messaging, recording pictures, videos, and voice with my phone, etc., etc. So much to learn, but I'm glad I finally took the plunge into the wireless world. My brother Dave will be proud, as will my friend Paul who leads a paperless life. :)
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
What Rain?
Man, I've been here more than 1.5 weeks, and it's only rained once! I keep forgetting that the current season is "Fall," not "Rain." To top it off, today it was about 60 degrees.
Work has been intense this week. Yesterday was only my second day on the client site and, wouldn't you know it--they had a CritSit (short for critical situation, in Micro-speak). Talk about learning fast! There are so many different processes (and tools) involved in my new job, but I'm clueless about most of them at this point. Well, let me tell you--I learned fast yesterday! First thought: "Holy crap!" because I was all alone at the client site when the situation arose. But my original fear quickly turned into an adrenaline rush, and I was all over it--for five straight hours! (There's something that gets a person moving when a client says, "Yes it's a Level 1 severity--we're losing f---ing money!" At Microsoft, a Level 1 means everyone in Redmond drops what they're doing to fix the problem. Ok, I exaggerate slightly. But when my TAM partner gave me the OK to escalate if it came to that, I quietly panicked on the inside, "Oh, great, does this mean Steve Ballmer's going to be calling my cell???")
It was great. I loved every minute of it. I felt empowered. And valued. And useful. I was right there, in the heat of the action, doing what I could to see the case to resolution. I was there for the customer. Gawd, this beats technical writing all to heck! I'm in New York! I'm in New York at a major brokerage firm! I'm in New York at a major brokerage firm and I'm making a difference!
This has got to be the greatest job in the universe.
This morning when my TAM partner showed up at my client site, one of the employees there chided him, "Susie's done more work in one day than you did in a month!!" It was so funny. We were all laughing, even my fellow TAM (who's been doing the work of 1-1/2 TAMs for the past several months, until I came along to relieve him of this account).
By the time I got home from work Martin had already attempted to feed himself by knocking the tupperware container of dried cat food off the kitchen counter onto the floor. I'm sorry he wasn't successful in breaking open the container...but then again, he could stand to lose a couple more pounds. Besides, it was only an hour after his usual feeding time. He's such a drama queen.
I can't believe SteveB still hasn't called....
Work has been intense this week. Yesterday was only my second day on the client site and, wouldn't you know it--they had a CritSit (short for critical situation, in Micro-speak). Talk about learning fast! There are so many different processes (and tools) involved in my new job, but I'm clueless about most of them at this point. Well, let me tell you--I learned fast yesterday! First thought: "Holy crap!" because I was all alone at the client site when the situation arose. But my original fear quickly turned into an adrenaline rush, and I was all over it--for five straight hours! (There's something that gets a person moving when a client says, "Yes it's a Level 1 severity--we're losing f---ing money!" At Microsoft, a Level 1 means everyone in Redmond drops what they're doing to fix the problem. Ok, I exaggerate slightly. But when my TAM partner gave me the OK to escalate if it came to that, I quietly panicked on the inside, "Oh, great, does this mean Steve Ballmer's going to be calling my cell???")
It was great. I loved every minute of it. I felt empowered. And valued. And useful. I was right there, in the heat of the action, doing what I could to see the case to resolution. I was there for the customer. Gawd, this beats technical writing all to heck! I'm in New York! I'm in New York at a major brokerage firm! I'm in New York at a major brokerage firm and I'm making a difference!
This has got to be the greatest job in the universe.
This morning when my TAM partner showed up at my client site, one of the employees there chided him, "Susie's done more work in one day than you did in a month!!" It was so funny. We were all laughing, even my fellow TAM (who's been doing the work of 1-1/2 TAMs for the past several months, until I came along to relieve him of this account).
By the time I got home from work Martin had already attempted to feed himself by knocking the tupperware container of dried cat food off the kitchen counter onto the floor. I'm sorry he wasn't successful in breaking open the container...but then again, he could stand to lose a couple more pounds. Besides, it was only an hour after his usual feeding time. He's such a drama queen.
I can't believe SteveB still hasn't called....
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Real Groceries!
Finally...I found a real grocery store, and I ate real food today! There is a Whole Foods market on the bottom floor of the Time Warner building at Columbus Circle, one subway stop away. If I'd just gone down one level yesterday, I would've seen it.
The food is extremely expensive, but at least I feel like I get more value for my money there. (I checked the toilet paper, and it's hardly cheaper than the buck-a-roll I paid at Food Emporium.) Two plastic bags of groceries came to $47--but we're talking GOOD, fresh food. This place is incredible--complete with soup bar, salad bar, Latin bar, Indian bar, a real Sushi bar with bar stools, and a restaurant. It was very crowded. There were eight checkout aisles, each manned by four cashiers. I must've been 25th in line. Another employee directed customers standing at the beginning of the long checkout line to the next available cashier.
This morning I had coffee with two of my fellow TAMs. (They're the ones who told me about Whole Foods.) Natalie's been at this job for 11 months and is still overwhelmed. She transferred from Charlotte last January and lives with a roommate on the Upper West Side. Elana said she just put in an application for a studio apartment on the Upper West Side. So I decided I'd check out that area on foot today.
But first I went down to the Financial District and looked at a handful of lofts, all in the same building at 33 Gold Street. The streets are cobblestone and much quieter there, but the area looked slightly seedy. The pre-war lofts were crap. Total crap. So now I know that $2000-2500 a month will buy me crap. I find it hard to believe anyone would pay that for the awful places I saw with their ugly small dirty spaces and tiny, filthy 1950's appliances. Ick!
I got on the subway and headed uptown to 96th Street. What a beautiful area! It's much different from any area of the city I've seen so far. The sidewalks are actually clean, the streets aren't as packed with traffic jams, and there are "real" grocery stores there (i.e., bigger than 1500 square feet). And there was more vegetation than I expected. The old townhouses lining the streets leading over to Central Park were unique. God, I'd love to live in one of those, but there's no doubt I can't afford one. Central Park is quite colorful at this time of year.
With real vegies and fruit in my tummy, alongside the veal florentine I cooked, I think it's time to hit the couch. I did a lot of walking today, and my feet are telling me it's time to crash.
The food is extremely expensive, but at least I feel like I get more value for my money there. (I checked the toilet paper, and it's hardly cheaper than the buck-a-roll I paid at Food Emporium.) Two plastic bags of groceries came to $47--but we're talking GOOD, fresh food. This place is incredible--complete with soup bar, salad bar, Latin bar, Indian bar, a real Sushi bar with bar stools, and a restaurant. It was very crowded. There were eight checkout aisles, each manned by four cashiers. I must've been 25th in line. Another employee directed customers standing at the beginning of the long checkout line to the next available cashier.
This morning I had coffee with two of my fellow TAMs. (They're the ones who told me about Whole Foods.) Natalie's been at this job for 11 months and is still overwhelmed. She transferred from Charlotte last January and lives with a roommate on the Upper West Side. Elana said she just put in an application for a studio apartment on the Upper West Side. So I decided I'd check out that area on foot today.
But first I went down to the Financial District and looked at a handful of lofts, all in the same building at 33 Gold Street. The streets are cobblestone and much quieter there, but the area looked slightly seedy. The pre-war lofts were crap. Total crap. So now I know that $2000-2500 a month will buy me crap. I find it hard to believe anyone would pay that for the awful places I saw with their ugly small dirty spaces and tiny, filthy 1950's appliances. Ick!
I got on the subway and headed uptown to 96th Street. What a beautiful area! It's much different from any area of the city I've seen so far. The sidewalks are actually clean, the streets aren't as packed with traffic jams, and there are "real" grocery stores there (i.e., bigger than 1500 square feet). And there was more vegetation than I expected. The old townhouses lining the streets leading over to Central Park were unique. God, I'd love to live in one of those, but there's no doubt I can't afford one. Central Park is quite colorful at this time of year.
With real vegies and fruit in my tummy, alongside the veal florentine I cooked, I think it's time to hit the couch. I did a lot of walking today, and my feet are telling me it's time to crash.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Day Seven
It's the end of my first week in NYC!
Today was a sunny, blustery Saturday. I ventured over to another one of my prime destinations: Saks Fifth Avenue, about four blocks east of my apartment. The streets were packed. I came upon Rockefeller Plaza, and there was the giant 71' Christmas tree! Workers clambored around branches on scaffolding that encircles the 40'-wide tree, stringing lights in preparation of the official lighting on November 30th. This section of town is absolutely beautiful! The skating rink, promenade, U.S. state flags, beautiful Cathedral, and the bright lights making up a gigantic ball-shaped Christmas tree ornament just beyond the glass front of the NBC Experience store...so many sights to behold all at once! I loved it.
Saks was awesome. It's TEN floors high! Unbelievable. There was barely room to walk amongst the crowds there. I checked a few price-tags and repeatedly my jaw fell open. There was this neat, big, fuzzy, purple lady's hat for $750!! A jacket for $1,850. Ear muffs were $25. The list goes on forever.... I visited a few floors then decided it was time to go to the American Girl Place right across 49th Street, for my niece Zoe in Tennessee.
The crowds in this store were unbelievable. The little girls with their moms were so cute and just as much in awe of this store as I was of Saks. I've never seen anything like this place. There were male ushers at the front door, directing foot traffic to and fro. I stopped in the lower lobby and called Zoe so I could tell her where I was. She screamed with delight!! I had so much fun. I got her something New-Yorkie for her doll, and something special for herself. (Never mind that I finished my Christmas shopping a while ago. I couldn't resist! Man, they had everything in the store for her doll--little fur-lined ice skates, jewelry, hair bands, a pet kitty cat and kitty pillow--you name it.)
I was wearing the wrong shoes, so I walked home through the street fair where everyone was selling the usual--Cashmere scarves for $10, NY t-shirts, Italian leather gloves for $29 and up, shisk-a-bob gyros, sterling jewelry, designer socks, watches, and freshly made candy-coated bananas and marshmallows, just to name a few items. After resting my feet at home for a couple hours (while scanning the Internet apartment rental ads), I donned my sneakers and ventured out again.
Walked the one block to the Food Emporium to get kitty litter and TP. I picked up two beautiful HoneyCrisp apples on my way to the check-out stand, too. I could NOT believe the price of toilet tissue. I paid $5.99 for a 6-roll pack! A buck a roll! Thank God I had a dollar coupon. For the first time in my life, a one-dollar coupon bought me only a roll of toilet paper. Wow. Then, as the cashier rang up my order, I said outloud, "$4.43 for two apples?!" Even she seemed a bit surprised. "You still want 'em?" I thought, maybe they have gold cores (like the paper centers of the toilet paper rolls). "Sure, go ahead." Twenty-two dollars later I lugged the 20-lb. bag of cat litter home and thought, "For now on I won't tell Mama to NOT bring toilet paper when she visits." And to think I used to give her a hard time for bringing TP on visits. I think that'll be my new lodging fee for overnight guests. BYOT.
Back outdoors, I hopped on the C train and jumped off at the first stop (59th St.), which put me a block or two from Columbus Circle. I stopped in at Duffy's (the discount clothing store for millionaires) and bought lined leather gloves and ear muffs. I held myself back from buying clothes. I'd already spent $3 grand on my new work wardrobe in recent weeks!
I walked around Columbus Circle, at the edge of Central Park. This part of the city, too, is incredible! Along the edge of the circle (the center of which is under renovation right now), is the amazing Trump Tower--a gorgeous, tall building that looks like it is made of smoked glass. Near that is the Time-Warner Center. It's a huge, fancy, glass-encased shopping mall with only the best stores--J. Crew, Sephora, Hugo Boss, Borders Books, Crabtree and Evelyn, Godiva, Williams and Sonoma--you get the picture. The inside is very open, loft-like. Standing on the 2nd floor mezzanine, I gazed out at the buildings, the park, and the fuscia-colored sky through a huge 3-story wall of glass. It was SO beautiful at dusk today.
On the way home I got the rest of the groceries I needed. Grocery shopping is probably the single-biggest-pain-in-the-butt experience that I have to deal with here. I'm still suffering from sticker shock. I was going to get some of those low-cal frozen entrees for lunches--to save money--but MY GOD they were $4.59 each. For a LEAN CUISINE! It wasn't even worth buying with my 25-cent coupon. Maybe it's time I became a vegetarian, so I can afford to feed myself for the next few years here. I might even have to give that up after I rent my own apartment. :)
So I had a bagel for dinner tonight. Maybe later I'll treat myself to a 2-dollar apple.
Today was a sunny, blustery Saturday. I ventured over to another one of my prime destinations: Saks Fifth Avenue, about four blocks east of my apartment. The streets were packed. I came upon Rockefeller Plaza, and there was the giant 71' Christmas tree! Workers clambored around branches on scaffolding that encircles the 40'-wide tree, stringing lights in preparation of the official lighting on November 30th. This section of town is absolutely beautiful! The skating rink, promenade, U.S. state flags, beautiful Cathedral, and the bright lights making up a gigantic ball-shaped Christmas tree ornament just beyond the glass front of the NBC Experience store...so many sights to behold all at once! I loved it.
Saks was awesome. It's TEN floors high! Unbelievable. There was barely room to walk amongst the crowds there. I checked a few price-tags and repeatedly my jaw fell open. There was this neat, big, fuzzy, purple lady's hat for $750!! A jacket for $1,850. Ear muffs were $25. The list goes on forever.... I visited a few floors then decided it was time to go to the American Girl Place right across 49th Street, for my niece Zoe in Tennessee.
The crowds in this store were unbelievable. The little girls with their moms were so cute and just as much in awe of this store as I was of Saks. I've never seen anything like this place. There were male ushers at the front door, directing foot traffic to and fro. I stopped in the lower lobby and called Zoe so I could tell her where I was. She screamed with delight!! I had so much fun. I got her something New-Yorkie for her doll, and something special for herself. (Never mind that I finished my Christmas shopping a while ago. I couldn't resist! Man, they had everything in the store for her doll--little fur-lined ice skates, jewelry, hair bands, a pet kitty cat and kitty pillow--you name it.)
I was wearing the wrong shoes, so I walked home through the street fair where everyone was selling the usual--Cashmere scarves for $10, NY t-shirts, Italian leather gloves for $29 and up, shisk-a-bob gyros, sterling jewelry, designer socks, watches, and freshly made candy-coated bananas and marshmallows, just to name a few items. After resting my feet at home for a couple hours (while scanning the Internet apartment rental ads), I donned my sneakers and ventured out again.
Walked the one block to the Food Emporium to get kitty litter and TP. I picked up two beautiful HoneyCrisp apples on my way to the check-out stand, too. I could NOT believe the price of toilet tissue. I paid $5.99 for a 6-roll pack! A buck a roll! Thank God I had a dollar coupon. For the first time in my life, a one-dollar coupon bought me only a roll of toilet paper. Wow. Then, as the cashier rang up my order, I said outloud, "$4.43 for two apples?!" Even she seemed a bit surprised. "You still want 'em?" I thought, maybe they have gold cores (like the paper centers of the toilet paper rolls). "Sure, go ahead." Twenty-two dollars later I lugged the 20-lb. bag of cat litter home and thought, "For now on I won't tell Mama to NOT bring toilet paper when she visits." And to think I used to give her a hard time for bringing TP on visits. I think that'll be my new lodging fee for overnight guests. BYOT.
Back outdoors, I hopped on the C train and jumped off at the first stop (59th St.), which put me a block or two from Columbus Circle. I stopped in at Duffy's (the discount clothing store for millionaires) and bought lined leather gloves and ear muffs. I held myself back from buying clothes. I'd already spent $3 grand on my new work wardrobe in recent weeks!
I walked around Columbus Circle, at the edge of Central Park. This part of the city, too, is incredible! Along the edge of the circle (the center of which is under renovation right now), is the amazing Trump Tower--a gorgeous, tall building that looks like it is made of smoked glass. Near that is the Time-Warner Center. It's a huge, fancy, glass-encased shopping mall with only the best stores--J. Crew, Sephora, Hugo Boss, Borders Books, Crabtree and Evelyn, Godiva, Williams and Sonoma--you get the picture. The inside is very open, loft-like. Standing on the 2nd floor mezzanine, I gazed out at the buildings, the park, and the fuscia-colored sky through a huge 3-story wall of glass. It was SO beautiful at dusk today.
On the way home I got the rest of the groceries I needed. Grocery shopping is probably the single-biggest-pain-in-the-butt experience that I have to deal with here. I'm still suffering from sticker shock. I was going to get some of those low-cal frozen entrees for lunches--to save money--but MY GOD they were $4.59 each. For a LEAN CUISINE! It wasn't even worth buying with my 25-cent coupon. Maybe it's time I became a vegetarian, so I can afford to feed myself for the next few years here. I might even have to give that up after I rent my own apartment. :)
So I had a bagel for dinner tonight. Maybe later I'll treat myself to a 2-dollar apple.
Day Six - First Day at Client Site
Not just my first day at the client site (which we'll call "brokerage house" from now on), but my first day of rain! It not only rained a lot--it was windy too. Glad I got that long, hooded rain coat at Nordstrom Rack when I went shopping there with Shelley this past spring!
The people at the brokerage house are great. VERY nice. I was a bit leery of going in there, but they all seemed happy to see me, and they made me feel quite welcome. I had some good laughs too. The guy (I'll call him Kev) who sits next to the cubicle I'm parked in is pretty funny. Even the head honcho welcomed me. So I left my first day feeling relieved and successful...and only slightly overwhelmed. I've been told by several TAMs that the first 6 months on the job are overwhelming, and that I won't be fully trained until after the first year. But, after that, it's the best job at my company. I'm excited about my future here.
Poor Martin the cat is pretty pissed at me. He talks A LOT. He won't leave me alone for a moment (unless he's sleeping or eating--which is most of the time). And a couple of days ago he started the "I wanna go out" cry by the front door. It's a sad, sad, cry. Quite pitiful. The guilt is killing me. He definitely wants a bigger place! So I think I'll be searching for a loft when I start my apartment hunt. Something with stairs, hopefully. If not a loft, it at least needs to have a terrace so my Boo-Boo can go "out." I think he's getting a bit stir crazy.
Today it's sunny, even though the weather man predicted rain. I'm going to see if I can find Saks Fifth Avenue and maybe walk up to the south end of Central Park. And today will conclude my first week in the city! I have become quite good at the subway thing. :)
The people at the brokerage house are great. VERY nice. I was a bit leery of going in there, but they all seemed happy to see me, and they made me feel quite welcome. I had some good laughs too. The guy (I'll call him Kev) who sits next to the cubicle I'm parked in is pretty funny. Even the head honcho welcomed me. So I left my first day feeling relieved and successful...and only slightly overwhelmed. I've been told by several TAMs that the first 6 months on the job are overwhelming, and that I won't be fully trained until after the first year. But, after that, it's the best job at my company. I'm excited about my future here.
Poor Martin the cat is pretty pissed at me. He talks A LOT. He won't leave me alone for a moment (unless he's sleeping or eating--which is most of the time). And a couple of days ago he started the "I wanna go out" cry by the front door. It's a sad, sad, cry. Quite pitiful. The guilt is killing me. He definitely wants a bigger place! So I think I'll be searching for a loft when I start my apartment hunt. Something with stairs, hopefully. If not a loft, it at least needs to have a terrace so my Boo-Boo can go "out." I think he's getting a bit stir crazy.
Today it's sunny, even though the weather man predicted rain. I'm going to see if I can find Saks Fifth Avenue and maybe walk up to the south end of Central Park. And today will conclude my first week in the city! I have become quite good at the subway thing. :)
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Day Five - Hello New Jersey!
07:19 I'm on the train to New Jersey! That was pretty easy. Take the 1 subway two stops to Penn Station, head to NJTransit, buy a ticket at a vending machine, head to track 4, and get on the train! This is my first time on a real train. It will also be my first time in the Garden state. Only $15.75 for a round-trip ticket. Shoot. I wish I'd bought a NY Times to read. It's an hour and twenty minutes to Trenton--about 70 miles. Sunrise, sunrise.
Man, there's hardly anyone on this train. And no one yacking on a cell phone, thank God. I meant to get on the 7:34 train, but I was early and got on the train that was leaving, by mistake. I guess it doesn't matter.
---------------------------
So New Jersey was not exactly interesting. The client's site was a gorgeous, newly built brick and glass campus. But the rest of the state (that I saw)--not much to tell you. I felt like I was "out in the country" the whole time.
The good thing is, now I know how to get there. And I also learned that it's only a 10-minute train ride to Newark airport, so that's probably the cheapest way to travel to and from the airport (from now on).
Wow--that was the fifth sunny day in a row here! And the weather was really beautiful. Tomorrow I have my first day at my client's site. This is going to be where the "fun" really starts....
Ta-ta!
Man, there's hardly anyone on this train. And no one yacking on a cell phone, thank God. I meant to get on the 7:34 train, but I was early and got on the train that was leaving, by mistake. I guess it doesn't matter.
---------------------------
So New Jersey was not exactly interesting. The client's site was a gorgeous, newly built brick and glass campus. But the rest of the state (that I saw)--not much to tell you. I felt like I was "out in the country" the whole time.
The good thing is, now I know how to get there. And I also learned that it's only a 10-minute train ride to Newark airport, so that's probably the cheapest way to travel to and from the airport (from now on).
Wow--that was the fifth sunny day in a row here! And the weather was really beautiful. Tomorrow I have my first day at my client's site. This is going to be where the "fun" really starts....
Ta-ta!
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Garbage Day
Day Four. Still sunny! We had a cold snap today, though. Temps stayed in the 40's.
Garbage day is quite a site! The curbside heaps of garbage bags (and other items) grow to amazing heights! I've never seen anything like it. Should've taken a picture.
I covered a lot of territory today. I'm pooped. I took my digital camera with me. Ad my guide, I used my new "City Walks: New York" cards given to me by my friend Judy before I left Seattle. These are great! I highly recommend them to any NY newbie. (Author is Martha Fray.) I wonder how long it will take me to get through all 50 cards.
So, I took the 1-9 train all the way to the last stop at South Ferry, the southern-most point of Manhattan. My long walk took me through Battery Park City and the Financial District. I had my first NY hot dog in Battery Park, along the water front. That was breakfast. Saw only a few homeless people here, including one scraggly old guy saying, "Gimme a dolla, and I'll give it back to ya for a cigarette!" Huh?
From there I walked east to locate the office building at 75 Varick where I'll be working on site at Morgan Stanley. Dull business district. I headed east on foot and zig-zagged my way through Soho, which was hopping with people. Saw more than one oyster bar and bought a scarf for $5 on a street corner. I put it on right away to cut the chill. And here I told my family I needed scarves for Christmas! I can buy one on any corner in NY. I have a feeling I'll have a dozen scarves by January 1. Lots of neat little stores and restaurants in Soho.
Things got more interesting in the Flat Iron district. At Union Square I took a picture of a big LCD ticker display that (I think) dipslays the national deficit. I decided to head north on Fifth Avenue. Wow--what a pretty area! Lots of beautiful old, tall buildings. I was hoping to pass by Saks but never saw it. I think it was further north. I passed right by the Empire State Building before cutting over to Park Avenue. Then Madison Avenue. I passed a lot of famous places--like Lord and Taylor. They were just putting up their Christmas decorations on the outside of the building, and I got a few pictures of that. Unfortunately, I had my digital camera in "night view," so the rest of my pictures came out in black and white.
One thing I was dying to do was see Grand Central Terminal. The inside is spectacular! The huge domed ceiling, fancy chandeliers, marble decor, and architecture blew me away. Walking back toward home on 48th, I witnessed Fire Ladder Co. 2 responding to a building fire. Traffic was bumper-to-bumper everywhere in that area of the city--it was incredible watching this huge fire engine trying to get through on a street where there's no way around the continuous wall of cars. And the sirens and horns were LOUD!!! Even though traffic can't move, the horns never stop, even for fire engines. Especially for fire engines. Most people plugged their ears. I took pictures.
Walked through the diamond district after that. That area is wall-to-wall storefront windows made up of nothing but sparkling jewelry. Tons of jewelry! Oh, that reminds me--I need to find Tiffany's....
So I saw a good portion of lower Manhattan today. Last night while I was lying in bed with insomnia I wondered how long it will take me to see everything I want to see in NY and New England. I think three years is about right. Maybe four. We shall see!
My first day of work is tomorrow, and wouldn't you know it I need to travel to NJ for that. Ick. Subway to train to Trenton to a client's office.....it's going to be an adventure.
G'night.
Garbage day is quite a site! The curbside heaps of garbage bags (and other items) grow to amazing heights! I've never seen anything like it. Should've taken a picture.
I covered a lot of territory today. I'm pooped. I took my digital camera with me. Ad my guide, I used my new "City Walks: New York" cards given to me by my friend Judy before I left Seattle. These are great! I highly recommend them to any NY newbie. (Author is Martha Fray.) I wonder how long it will take me to get through all 50 cards.
So, I took the 1-9 train all the way to the last stop at South Ferry, the southern-most point of Manhattan. My long walk took me through Battery Park City and the Financial District. I had my first NY hot dog in Battery Park, along the water front. That was breakfast. Saw only a few homeless people here, including one scraggly old guy saying, "Gimme a dolla, and I'll give it back to ya for a cigarette!" Huh?
From there I walked east to locate the office building at 75 Varick where I'll be working on site at Morgan Stanley. Dull business district. I headed east on foot and zig-zagged my way through Soho, which was hopping with people. Saw more than one oyster bar and bought a scarf for $5 on a street corner. I put it on right away to cut the chill. And here I told my family I needed scarves for Christmas! I can buy one on any corner in NY. I have a feeling I'll have a dozen scarves by January 1. Lots of neat little stores and restaurants in Soho.
Things got more interesting in the Flat Iron district. At Union Square I took a picture of a big LCD ticker display that (I think) dipslays the national deficit. I decided to head north on Fifth Avenue. Wow--what a pretty area! Lots of beautiful old, tall buildings. I was hoping to pass by Saks but never saw it. I think it was further north. I passed right by the Empire State Building before cutting over to Park Avenue. Then Madison Avenue. I passed a lot of famous places--like Lord and Taylor. They were just putting up their Christmas decorations on the outside of the building, and I got a few pictures of that. Unfortunately, I had my digital camera in "night view," so the rest of my pictures came out in black and white.
One thing I was dying to do was see Grand Central Terminal. The inside is spectacular! The huge domed ceiling, fancy chandeliers, marble decor, and architecture blew me away. Walking back toward home on 48th, I witnessed Fire Ladder Co. 2 responding to a building fire. Traffic was bumper-to-bumper everywhere in that area of the city--it was incredible watching this huge fire engine trying to get through on a street where there's no way around the continuous wall of cars. And the sirens and horns were LOUD!!! Even though traffic can't move, the horns never stop, even for fire engines. Especially for fire engines. Most people plugged their ears. I took pictures.
Walked through the diamond district after that. That area is wall-to-wall storefront windows made up of nothing but sparkling jewelry. Tons of jewelry! Oh, that reminds me--I need to find Tiffany's....
So I saw a good portion of lower Manhattan today. Last night while I was lying in bed with insomnia I wondered how long it will take me to see everything I want to see in NY and New England. I think three years is about right. Maybe four. We shall see!
My first day of work is tomorrow, and wouldn't you know it I need to travel to NJ for that. Ick. Subway to train to Trenton to a client's office.....it's going to be an adventure.
G'night.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Day Three in NYC
Today I ended up working all day--isn't that what vacation is for? When I wasn't doing work-work, I was doing relocation work....not unlike how I spent the eight weeks prior to my arrival in the Big Apple. Can you say S-T-R-E-S-S?
The movers were 3.5 hours late. Once again, the relocation team can't get it right on the first try. That's OK. I stayed busy. Now I can start wearing different clothes. So I have my "office" set up (which consists of a square dining room table).
And Pablo the nice facilites guy arrived early with my DVD player and big thick down mattress pad to soften up my rock-hard bed. The service in this place is excellent! "Corporate housing" sounds so much like it should look and feel like "base housing"--not even close! I feel so spoiled. But I also deserve it, dammit. I've worked hard for it.
One more day of vacation. Then it's off to work! Funny...I have to spend my first day of work in New Jersey! Not what I had in mind at all. :)
Ciao.
The movers were 3.5 hours late. Once again, the relocation team can't get it right on the first try. That's OK. I stayed busy. Now I can start wearing different clothes. So I have my "office" set up (which consists of a square dining room table).
And Pablo the nice facilites guy arrived early with my DVD player and big thick down mattress pad to soften up my rock-hard bed. The service in this place is excellent! "Corporate housing" sounds so much like it should look and feel like "base housing"--not even close! I feel so spoiled. But I also deserve it, dammit. I've worked hard for it.
One more day of vacation. Then it's off to work! Funny...I have to spend my first day of work in New Jersey! Not what I had in mind at all. :)
Ciao.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Day Two
Another sunny day in the city. I went grocery shopping and discovered that you should never buy more than two large beverage items (i.e., >= 1 gal.) if you have to walk more than 2 blocks. Four plastic bags, 4.5 blocks, and 10 sore fingers later, I made it safely home with some "real" food (= not_pizza).
I did my first load of laundry. At five bucks a load (plus the $3 origination fee to get a laundry pay card that enables you to pay the outrageous $5 fee), I am going to do my best to sweat less. Although that will be difficult to do when riding a crowded subway, as I found out on my way back from downtown on the C train. :)
That's right--the SUBWAY! I did it--I actually rode the subway all by myself! (After shelling out $70 for an unlimited use 30-day pass, which is less than I used to spend on gas.) Hmmm, wait a second...I'm beginning to see a pattern here: spend money, spend money, spend money...and when you're done with that: spend more money. Ok, I think I've got it.
How convenient--just outside the front door of my apartment building is the subway entrance for the C & E trains to downtown. It took me all of 20 minutes to get from home to the financial district. I do love public transportation. It's relatively stress-free once you figure out how to do it!
Wow. I got off the train and immediately realized I was disoriented. With all the tall buildings, it's hard to see where the sun is in the sky. Seriously. For once, I couldn't tell east from west from north from south--not for the life of me! Luckily I had my Manhattan Streetwise map (highly recommended) in my pocket. I started walking down John Street, and two blocks later I realized I was going away from WTC instead of toward it. I turned around and headed east--I was just a few blocks from Ground Zero.
The trip to the World Trade Center site was one I'd anticipated (and sort of silently dreaded). My mood was somber from the time I left home, although I admit that the experience was even more emotional than I'd thought. There were a lot of people there--many speaking foreign languages--and all brandishing cameras of some sort. A lot of New York's finest were gathered in small groups, too, canine corps included. Despite the throng of site-seers chattering amongst themselves and rambling across the wide sidewalk, it seemed eerily quiet and lonely.
A homeless man with a long gray beard sat on the sidewalk with his back to the fence, playing "Amazing Grace" on the flute (or recorder?). I stood not far from him looking at "the cross" and the huge sunlit vacuum that was once the World Trade towers. And I relived that horrendous, unforgettable day in my mind. The horror, the terror, the senseless loss of innocent life, the shock and disbelief. It was tough. I gave up on trying to hold back my tears.
It took about ten minutes to compose myself. The only thing I can say about that experience now is that we should never forget those who died that day, and we must stay steadfast in our determination to maintain our God-given right to freedom.
I'm glad I went.
Later, in an email conversation I was having with my boss, I discovered that he'd lost three loved ones in the tragedy--one of whom was on one of the planes. And I was reminded that my sister-in-law lost six or seven friends from a previous job. I considered myself lucky. And grateful for this country and its great people...what truly is America the beautiful.
I don't care what you say about New Yorkers, but I like 'em. I have yet to meet a grumpy person here. Every subway ride earns me a new friend. I love NY!
I think I'll watch "The Godfather." Good night!
I did my first load of laundry. At five bucks a load (plus the $3 origination fee to get a laundry pay card that enables you to pay the outrageous $5 fee), I am going to do my best to sweat less. Although that will be difficult to do when riding a crowded subway, as I found out on my way back from downtown on the C train. :)
That's right--the SUBWAY! I did it--I actually rode the subway all by myself! (After shelling out $70 for an unlimited use 30-day pass, which is less than I used to spend on gas.) Hmmm, wait a second...I'm beginning to see a pattern here: spend money, spend money, spend money...and when you're done with that: spend more money. Ok, I think I've got it.
How convenient--just outside the front door of my apartment building is the subway entrance for the C & E trains to downtown. It took me all of 20 minutes to get from home to the financial district. I do love public transportation. It's relatively stress-free once you figure out how to do it!
Wow. I got off the train and immediately realized I was disoriented. With all the tall buildings, it's hard to see where the sun is in the sky. Seriously. For once, I couldn't tell east from west from north from south--not for the life of me! Luckily I had my Manhattan Streetwise map (highly recommended) in my pocket. I started walking down John Street, and two blocks later I realized I was going away from WTC instead of toward it. I turned around and headed east--I was just a few blocks from Ground Zero.
The trip to the World Trade Center site was one I'd anticipated (and sort of silently dreaded). My mood was somber from the time I left home, although I admit that the experience was even more emotional than I'd thought. There were a lot of people there--many speaking foreign languages--and all brandishing cameras of some sort. A lot of New York's finest were gathered in small groups, too, canine corps included. Despite the throng of site-seers chattering amongst themselves and rambling across the wide sidewalk, it seemed eerily quiet and lonely.
A homeless man with a long gray beard sat on the sidewalk with his back to the fence, playing "Amazing Grace" on the flute (or recorder?). I stood not far from him looking at "the cross" and the huge sunlit vacuum that was once the World Trade towers. And I relived that horrendous, unforgettable day in my mind. The horror, the terror, the senseless loss of innocent life, the shock and disbelief. It was tough. I gave up on trying to hold back my tears.
It took about ten minutes to compose myself. The only thing I can say about that experience now is that we should never forget those who died that day, and we must stay steadfast in our determination to maintain our God-given right to freedom.
I'm glad I went.
Later, in an email conversation I was having with my boss, I discovered that he'd lost three loved ones in the tragedy--one of whom was on one of the planes. And I was reminded that my sister-in-law lost six or seven friends from a previous job. I considered myself lucky. And grateful for this country and its great people...what truly is America the beautiful.
I don't care what you say about New Yorkers, but I like 'em. I have yet to meet a grumpy person here. Every subway ride earns me a new friend. I love NY!
I think I'll watch "The Godfather." Good night!
Sunday, November 07, 2004
First Day in NYC
I arrived at Newark last night Nov. 6, 2004, in time to see a beautiful setting sun from the airplane window. The pink and orange Manhattan skyline was spectacular. The trip from Seattle was quick--a total of 7 hours, and Martin the 16-pound cat survived with only an occasional whiney meow. My final morning in Seattle before embarking on this bold (some say "crazy") move to the Big Apple afforded me my last view of Mt. Rainier in all its glory, both on the way to the airport and from the plane. You haven't lived until you've seen the Mountain on a clear day at sunrise. Truly breath-taking.
The 70-dollar taxi ride to Longacre house in Midtown was quick (thanks, BillG), and the concierge was out on the sidewalk in a heartbeat, helping us with the bags. I couldn't wait to free poor Martin from his soft-sided carrier after I suffered from the "guilts" all day (and for at least 2 months prior). His was freed briefly at Sea-Tac when I had to (literally) let the cat out of the bag to get through security. A friendly security guard helped me stow him again. He hated being in that bag.
Martin and I were pleasantly surprised with the luxury 1-bedroom apartment that we got on the 10th floor on W. 50th Street. This is "corporate housing"??? Wow! Two TV's, two VCR's, digital cable, high-speed Internet access, a huge bathroom (huge for Manhattan), cleaning service, health club, and even a gift basket. More importantly, there's a coffee maker. I think we won't have a problem staying here the next three months!
Today was Sunday, New York Marathon 2004 Day. After 11 hours of sleep, I awoke to a very bright, sunny day and went out walking in the warm breezy fall air for several hours. Did some shopping. Avenue of Americas was roped off for a huge street fair that extended several blocks. You could buy just about anything there. It was fun! I got an "I [heart] NY" t-shirt for 3 bucks. And my brother Dave says NY is "expensive." Ha! I can buy a designer watch for 5 dollars on any streeet corner. ;-)
Lots of street vendors here in the city. You can buy anything from fresh fruit and hot dogs to cashmere scarves and leather purses on any city block in Midtown. I only saw one seemingly homeless person all day. Apparently the NYPD are pretty strict about that.
The Macy's building was amazing! It takes up an entire block on 34th Street! And there were about a million people in there. Yes, that would be about 12% of the population. I went in to buy some shorts because it's fairly warm in my apartment (without the heat running).
I came home at sunset. The view out the apartment windows with the sunset reflected in building windows was really pretty. I'm surrounded by tall buildings. My apartment looks down on W. 50th. I've gotten used to the street noise (sirens and lots of horns)--with one exception: Harleys are eardrum busters! Gawd. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle is louder than the biggest fire engine and can be heard from a great distance.
As I was walking down 6th Avenue amongst the throngs of people, I thought, "I LOVE New York!" And I meant it. I think we'll fit in just fine here.
Signing off.
The 70-dollar taxi ride to Longacre house in Midtown was quick (thanks, BillG), and the concierge was out on the sidewalk in a heartbeat, helping us with the bags. I couldn't wait to free poor Martin from his soft-sided carrier after I suffered from the "guilts" all day (and for at least 2 months prior). His was freed briefly at Sea-Tac when I had to (literally) let the cat out of the bag to get through security. A friendly security guard helped me stow him again. He hated being in that bag.
Martin and I were pleasantly surprised with the luxury 1-bedroom apartment that we got on the 10th floor on W. 50th Street. This is "corporate housing"??? Wow! Two TV's, two VCR's, digital cable, high-speed Internet access, a huge bathroom (huge for Manhattan), cleaning service, health club, and even a gift basket. More importantly, there's a coffee maker. I think we won't have a problem staying here the next three months!
Today was Sunday, New York Marathon 2004 Day. After 11 hours of sleep, I awoke to a very bright, sunny day and went out walking in the warm breezy fall air for several hours. Did some shopping. Avenue of Americas was roped off for a huge street fair that extended several blocks. You could buy just about anything there. It was fun! I got an "I [heart] NY" t-shirt for 3 bucks. And my brother Dave says NY is "expensive." Ha! I can buy a designer watch for 5 dollars on any streeet corner. ;-)
Lots of street vendors here in the city. You can buy anything from fresh fruit and hot dogs to cashmere scarves and leather purses on any city block in Midtown. I only saw one seemingly homeless person all day. Apparently the NYPD are pretty strict about that.
The Macy's building was amazing! It takes up an entire block on 34th Street! And there were about a million people in there. Yes, that would be about 12% of the population. I went in to buy some shorts because it's fairly warm in my apartment (without the heat running).
I came home at sunset. The view out the apartment windows with the sunset reflected in building windows was really pretty. I'm surrounded by tall buildings. My apartment looks down on W. 50th. I've gotten used to the street noise (sirens and lots of horns)--with one exception: Harleys are eardrum busters! Gawd. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle is louder than the biggest fire engine and can be heard from a great distance.
As I was walking down 6th Avenue amongst the throngs of people, I thought, "I LOVE New York!" And I meant it. I think we'll fit in just fine here.
Signing off.
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